Day 22: Donโt Just Apply: 3 Game-Changing Strategies for Expat Job Seekers in Germany
โ The worst thing you can do in a tight job market? โ
Look like everyone else and do what everyone else is doing.
Here are three practical ways to get an edge over equally qualified candidates (especially if you don't speak German ๐):
1๏ธโฃ ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น (๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐๐ฎ๐)
Donโt just hit Connect and ask for a favor.
Write a thoughtful message and ask to get on a call.
Risk โwastingโ your time to build a genuine connection.
Get curious about their work. Understand what their team is looking for. Share what youโre about. Ask if someone like you could be a fit.
The referral will follow naturally.
2๏ธโฃ ๐ฆ๐ต๐ผ๐, ๐๐ผ๐ปโ๐ ๐ง๐ฒ๐น๐น
Think youโve got the skills? Prove it.
Do a โPre-Interview Projectโ that applies your expertise to a specific problem the companies hiring right now are facing.
Sounds like a lot of work? Exactly. Thatโs why most people wonโt do it, and why you will stand out.
In a sea of generic applications, show youโre already thinking about how to excel in the job, not just land it.
3๏ธโฃ ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฒ
Donโt just copy-paste buzzwords from the job description.
Develop your โPersonal Niche Positioningโ.
- What part of your role do you excel at the most?
- What type of business or team do you thrive in?
- What industries do you have experience in?
- What specific outcome are you good at helping companies achieve?
Be the engineering manager who specializes in technical project management and is the best at aligning engineering efforts with business objectives.
Think about it: Youโll choose the closest, available Hausarzt, but for your heart? Youโll travel to Turmstraรe for the right cardiologist.
(Yes, thatโs the location of my cardiologistโs clinic and I highly recommend him if you need one ๐)
Be the specialist companies go out of their way to hire.
๐ก Hereโs the truth: If a tactic seems scary or like too much work, thatโs your signal. Thatโs exactly where youโll stand out.
- Build real human connections.
- Prove your value before they even ask.
- Have the courage to narrow your focus and own your niche.
Thatโs how you break through the noise.